Instructions for Authors: Journal of Carbohydrates
These guidelines are designed to help authors prepare clear, reproducible, and impactful manuscripts across carbohydrate chemistry, glycobiology, food science, and biotechnology. Following these instructions ensures efficient review and high-quality publication.
Scope and Article Types
Submit research that advances glycoscience and carbohydrate applications.
The Journal of Carbohydrates publishes original research, systematic reviews, short communications, technical notes, and perspective pieces on carbohydrate chemistry, glycobiology, polysaccharide materials, glycoanalytics, food carbohydrate science, and carbohydrate-based therapeutics. We welcome interdisciplinary studies that connect molecular structure to biological function, industrial relevance, or nutritional outcomes.
Manuscripts should be written in clear, professional English and present reproducible methods. All studies must include sufficient detail to allow independent validation. Authors are encouraged to follow established reporting standards, including Symbol Nomenclature for Glycans (SNFG) for glycan representation and the MIRAGE guidelines for glycomics data reporting where appropriate.
Primary Focus
Glycans, polysaccharides, enzymes, carbohydrate materials, and analytics
Article Types
Research, reviews, methods, short reports, perspectives
Language
Clear, concise English with defined abbreviations
Manuscript Structure
Organize your paper in a logical, reproducible format.
Title Page
- Concise, informative title
- Author names and affiliations
- Corresponding author contact
- Funding and conflict statements
Abstract & Keywords
- Structured or narrative abstract (200-300 words)
- 3-6 keywords for indexing
- Clear summary of aims, methods, results
- Emphasize carbohydrate relevance
Main Text
- Introduction and background
- Materials and methods
- Results and discussion
- Conclusion and future directions
References
- Complete and accurate citations
- Use consistent reference style
- Include DOI when available
- Ensure data sources are cited
Formatting and Style Essentials
Clear formatting improves readability and speeds editorial assessment.
Manuscripts should be submitted in an editable format (DOC or DOCX). Use consistent headings and standard units. Define abbreviations at first use and apply IUPAC and SNFG conventions for glycan nomenclature. If multiple glycans are compared, provide a clear naming key in the figure captions or supplementary material.
Methods must include critical experimental details, including instrument parameters, reagents, software versions, and statistical tests. For synthesis or enzymatic modification studies, describe reaction conditions and validation steps. For food and nutrition studies, provide diet composition, participant or sample characteristics, and analytical validation methods.
File Format
DOC/DOCX preferred; include embedded figures or separate files
Nomenclature
Use SNFG and IUPAC naming where relevant
Methods Detail
Provide replicates, controls, and statistical rationale
Figures, Tables, and Supplementary Data
High-quality visual data strengthens carbohydrate research communication.
Figures should be clear and legible at publication size. Provide descriptive captions that explain key findings and abbreviations. Tables should be editable, not embedded as images. If your study includes large datasets, extended methods, or raw spectral files, submit them as supplementary material or deposit them in an appropriate repository with an accession link.
Ensure all images are original or appropriately licensed, and obtain written permission for any third-party material. If human subjects are involved, ensure that images are anonymized and ethical approvals are documented in the manuscript.
Resolution
Provide high-resolution images for spectral and structural data
Supplementary Files
Use standardized formats and clear labels
Permissions
Secure rights for any reused figures or tables
Data Availability and Reporting
Transparency in data strengthens reproducibility and impact.
Data Availability Statement: All manuscripts must include a data availability statement describing where underlying data can be accessed. When data cannot be shared due to confidentiality or legal restrictions, provide a clear justification and describe how qualified researchers may request access.
For glycomics and glycoproteomics studies, include raw data and processing workflows where possible. For synthesis and enzymology studies, provide reaction conditions and validation details. For food science and nutrition work, include statistical methods, sample sizes, and dietary composition.
Ethics, Integrity, and Authorship
We follow international research ethics and publication standards.
Human and Animal Research
Conflict of Interest
Originality
Authorship Criteria
Peer Review and Decision
Each manuscript is evaluated by experts for rigor, originality, and relevance.
Editorial Check
Scope, ethics, and format
Reviewer Assignment
Specialist evaluation
Decision
Accept, revise, or reject
Revision
Author response to feedback
Authors should respond to reviewer comments clearly and respectfully, indicating where changes were made in the revised manuscript. Revised submissions are evaluated promptly to maintain efficient publication timelines.
Submission Methods
Choose the submission route that best fits your workflow.
ManuscriptZone Portal
Full-featured system for structured submissions, reviewer communications, and revisions.
Submit via ManuscriptZoneSimple Submission Form
Quick upload for authors who prefer a minimal, direct submission experience.
Submit via FormRequired Files: Manuscript (DOC/DOCX), figures, supplementary files (if any), cover letter, and a concise statement of novelty. Include funding acknowledgments and conflicts of interest in the manuscript.
After Acceptance
Accepted papers move quickly into production and open access release.
Authors receive proofs for final review. Minor corrections can be made at this stage, and the final version is published with persistent identifiers and full metadata. Articles are released immediately upon completion of production workflows.
Author Questions
Can I submit a preprint?
Yes. We accept submissions previously shared as preprints, provided they are disclosed on submission.
Do you accept negative or null results?
Yes. Well-designed studies with clear methodology are welcome regardless of outcome.
How should I format references?
Use a consistent citation style and include DOIs where available. The production team will format references during typesetting.
References and Citations
Accurate citations strengthen the reliability and discoverability of your work.
Provide complete references for all sources, including datasets, software, and methods papers. Use a consistent citation style throughout the manuscript and include DOI information whenever available. If you cite glycan databases, enzymatic resources, or analytical software, include version numbers or access dates where appropriate to support reproducibility.
We encourage authors to cite primary sources for methods and to acknowledge datasets that informed their analyses. When referencing preprints, clearly indicate that they are not yet peer reviewed. The production team will apply final formatting, but accurate and complete references at submission help speed review and prevent delays during proofing.
Pre-Submission Checklist
Use this checklist to confirm your manuscript is ready for review.
Before submitting, ensure that all figures are cited in the text, that abbreviations are defined at first use, and that your results and conclusions are aligned. If you use specialized glycan nomenclature or chemical naming, verify that the terms are consistent across the manuscript and any supplemental material. Authors should also confirm that all co-authors have reviewed and approved the final version.
Cover Letter and Reviewer Suggestions
A concise cover letter helps editors route your submission effectively.
Include a brief cover letter that summarizes the manuscript's novelty, relevance to carbohydrate science, and any special considerations. If your work builds on a preprint or conference abstract, disclose this clearly. Authors may suggest qualified reviewers with relevant expertise and without conflicts of interest. These suggestions are optional, and the final reviewer selection is at the discretion of the editors.
When proposing reviewers, include institutional affiliations and email addresses. Avoid recommending collaborators, recent co-authors, or individuals with financial or personal conflicts. Thoughtful reviewer suggestions can help accelerate the review process and improve the alignment of feedback with the manuscript's technical scope.
Need Help Before Submission?
The editorial office can answer questions about scope and formatting.
If you are uncertain about fit, data requirements, or submission steps, contact the editorial office for guidance. Early clarification helps avoid delays and ensures your manuscript is reviewed efficiently.
File Naming Tips
Clear file names help editors and reviewers navigate your submission.
Label files with short, descriptive names such as "Manuscript" and "Figure1" to avoid confusion during review.
Prepare Your Manuscript with Confidence
Clear requirements, fair review, and open access publishing help your carbohydrate research reach the right audience.
